FROM Season 3 Episode 2 Review: When We Go

The entire town is in mourning in the wake of Tian-Chen’s grisly murder on FROM Season 3 Episode 2, “When We Go.”

As Boyd faces the consequences of his actions in the aftermath of his gruesome night spent in the barn, attitudes shift throughout the town, with one of their own gone.

Kenny faces one of the most challenging moments of his life upon his and Jim’s return. Meanwhile, Tabitha uncovers further clues about the next steps to save her family and everyone in town.

With the different dynamics, emotional ferocity, and compelling performances from Harold Perrineau and Ricky He, “When We Go” is an enchanting follow-up to a stellar season premiere. 

All Alone

In an episode dedicated in part to Kenny and the experience of losing the last of his family, Ricky He delivers one of the best performances the series has seen to date.

The vulnerability and brokenness he portrays in Kenny’s darkest moments are palpable and worthy of bringing the audience to tears. The shouts for his mother that erupt from him when he realizes something’s wrong are viscerally upsetting.

Losing any close relative or friend is hard enough, but in Kenny’s case, it’s devastating and life-altering because he’s the last remaining in his family.

Having been one of the more optimistic, open-minded people, this catastrophic shift in his life will likely change his demeanor and outlook. We get a glimpse of this when Boyd finds him filling up jugs in preparation to face the monsters in the tunnel.

The critical thinking skills he usually executes have gone out the window, and his only drive is his desire to kill all the monsters.

It’s a valid feeling being in his position and having endured the pain for as long as he has. After all, the mysterious forces at play within the town take the time to tease Kenny regarding his mother’s death by playing “Celebration by Kool & The Gang” on the diner radio.

However, his actions aren’t logical. If getting rid of the monsters was as easy as setting the tunnel on fire, the townsfolk’s situation would be solved by now. It’s more complicated than simply going in guns blazing. Deep down, he knows it, but his anger shrouds his thoughts, and Boyd is the only one able to bring him to his senses.

Being the one to bring the town together and form a way of improving their lives exponentially, it’s only fitting that Boyd is the one who spends the final moments with Tian-Chen.

Even with the bond they’ve all formed, it’s doubtful anyone else would care enough in that moment of dreadful torment to remember her final words spoken in Cantonese.

Even amid the suffering, there’s a sense of hope surrounding Boyd and Kenny when they’re with one another. I hope the dynamic duo’s relationship isn’t altered too heavily moving forward this season.

Tensions on the Rise

Tian-Chen’s death brings a wave of despair, heightened tensions, and irritability among the townsfolk. Boyd and Donna go head-to-head over Boyd’s decision-making process, and even Victor snaps at Ethan.

Boyd: “Those animals are all we have.”
Donna: “No, Boyd! We are all we have! Us! These people! This family! That is all we’ve got, and now we’ve got one less!”

The brief, heated exchange between Boyd and Donna is unfortunate because, in the grand scheme of it all, Boyd executes his actions under the guise he’s doing what’s in the town’s best interest.

Like a typical family in times of loss, viewpoints are skewed, and blame is thrown around. Unlike a dysfunctional family, though, their exchange of words holds no malicious intent, even when screaming in each other’s faces. Donna makes this known after, but it doesn’t detract from her outrage toward the situation.

Donna is a people-first kind of woman, so her initial approach is aggressive, but it’s because of the loss of family. In her mind, even if they die from starvation, at least they’re dying together. 

One Step Closer to a Breakthrough

While everyone back in town must overcome the hardships of loss and hunger, Tabitha pushes to learn more about her potential return.

Henry is rightfully uneasy about Tabitha and her story because of how insane it all sounds.

His family disappeared decades ago, and now, all of a sudden, a random woman lands on his doorstep, telling him his missing son is now a grown man stuck in some weird alternate dimension. She’s lucky the door wasn’t shut in her face, and the cops called immediately.

Thankfully, Tabitha’s candidness and honesty about needing to save the two imaginary dead children finally leads him to change his tune. The revelation leads Henry to share the turning point for the mental state of his late wife, Miranda.

An acid trip gone wrong in an attempt to have one final night of feeling like a rebellious teenager is what causes her “hallucinations.” Thankfully, through an immense amount of art pieces in Henry’s basement, Tabitha learns that Miranda could see the town and those who got stuck there; everything.

This newly discovered knowledge is a game-changer in its own capacity because it’s the first hint after two long seasons that someone in the real world is aware of their entrapment.

It also begs the question: were those who came before Miranda just like her? Were they also getting these visions as spectators outside of the horrors?

While we’re still far away from learning the truth behind the horrors engulfing random strangers, we’re off to a beautiful start to Tabitha’s adventure.

—

Harold Perrineau deserves nominations for all the awards this season, and it has only just begun. His delivery in the opening moments, consoling Tian-Chen’s cold, lifeless body and vehemently apologizing for his role in her death, is haunting.

The sorrow is palpable to the point that it feels like we’re in the same room with the two in real life.

It’s evident FROM is making a heightened effort to take the series in an even darker direction this season, and that’s okay if it means we get these enthrallingly agonizing performances from Perrineau and He.

Stray Thoughts:

• Kristi and Jade using their time and energy to make Tian-Chen look her best for her funeral is one of the warmest and sweetest moments of the episode.
• While it might be a controversial take, I’m not necessarily in love with the idea of Thomas being used as a plot device to potentially bring redeeming qualities to Jim’s fatherhood issues.
• Watching Julie put Jim in his place is so satisfying. We need more of it!
• Fatima needs to take one for the team and get rid of the demon baby growing inside her already.

What did you think of this episode of FROM? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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FROM airs Sundays at 9/8c on MGM.

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